Bundesliga
A goal on his first Borussia Dortmund start, a man-of-the-match award and helping to edge his side closer to FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16 qualification: it was a case of all smiles for BVB new boy Jobe Bellingham on a successful day in Cincinnati for the 19-year-old.
Following a scoreless draw in their tournament opener against Fluminense - a game in which Bellingham made his competitive debut off the bench for his new side - the Black-and-Yellows saw off Mamelodi Sundowns 4-3 on a stiflingly-hot day in Ohio to make it four points from two games and bring a place in the last 16 that much closer.
Bellingham scored a crucial goal in the latter triumph on Saturday and was involved in his side's fourth as Niko Kovač's men survived the heat at the TQL Stadium. His feat revived memories of brother Jude netting on his first competitive Dortmund outing in a DFB Cup first-round tie against Duisburg back in September 2020. Yet the England U21 international is delighted to be already making his own name at the Bundesliga giants after his arrival from Sunderland.
Watch: Bellingham: "It's a little bit surreal"
"On and off the pitch, this has been a really beneficial experience for me,” Jobe told FIFA after picking up his Superior Player of the Match award against the Sundowns. "I've got a chance here and an opportunity to meet everyone and get to grips with how we play and how the coach wants us to play as a team,” the talented midfielder added.
"[Saturday's] was a tough game and an important win against a really good opponent," Bellingham continued, in an interview with DAZN. "[The boys] can be proud of themselves, especially given the weather conditions; this is something new for us, something we have to get used to," he added. "I'm happy we won, but there's still a lot to improve, both for me personally and for the team."
Watch: relive Bellingham's arrival at BVB
On scoring his first Dortmund goal - a wonderfully taken effort from the edge of the area - Bellingham said, "It's a little bit surreal, really. When the ball hits the net, it's just crazy. Everything happens so slowly. But yeah, I'm really pleased. If you can score and contribute those kind of goals a certain amount per season, then you are doing really well."
Next up for Bellingham and Dortmund is a final Group F game against Ulsan on Wednesday. Sitting on four points - the same as section leaders Fluminense - BVB can guarantee qualification with victory against the South Korean side with a win and you can follow every kick of Die Schwarzgelben's encounter right here on bundesliga.com.